It was said Celtic are eyeing a season-long loan deal but Liverpool might only be open to the permanent transfer of the 23-year-old academy graduate.

However, the Glasgow Evening Times now claims Celtic will be left disappointed with Flanagan opting to stay at Anfield.

Rodgers has also been linked to his former club with moves for Andre Wisdom, Joe Gomez and Joe Allen, as well as Steven Caulker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Anfield.

Flanagan made his comeback earlier this year after nearly two years on the sidelines with serious knee problems.

He captained Liverpool in their 3-2 defeat at Southampton in March but was mainly used as deputy to senior right-back Nathaniel Clyne.

Rodgers brought Flanagan through the ranks when he was at Liverpool and he was an integral player in the 2013-14 season when Liverpool came so close to winning the Premier League title.

Celtic are looking light on numbers at the back with Erik Sviatchenko and out-of-form Efe Ambrose the only fit senior centre-halfs as Dedryk Boyata and Jozo Simunovic recover from injuries while Charlie Mulgrew is still deciding over a new deal at the club.